A 328-foot cargo ship ran aground on the Black Sea coast in Istanbul’s Sariyer district on February 2, 2026, after being battered by heavy seas and stormy winds. The vessel, identified as the 100-meter cargo ship Razouk, became wedged on a rocky beach near residential areas, prompting swift attention from Turkish maritime authorities. A 35-second video circulating online shows the ship struggling against 10-foot waves as it was driven ashore, highlighting the extreme conditions faced by vessels navigating the Bosporus Strait during winter storms.

The grounding underscores the challenges of maneuvering through the Bosporus’ narrow, current-swept channels, where strong winds and sudden shifts in the Black Sea’s weather can quickly compromise vessel stability. Local authorities noted that the Razouk incident was the second or third similar cargo grounding in the area that week, emphasizing the heightened risks of maritime navigation during seasonal storms.

Emergency teams were deployed to assess the vessel’s condition and ensure the safety of the surrounding neighborhood, while salvage operations are planned to remove the ship from the rocky shoreline. Turkish maritime officials continue to monitor the Black Sea’s volatile weather patterns, issuing advisories to cargo operators and shipping companies operating in the region.

The incident highlights both the vulnerability of commercial shipping to sudden weather events and the importance of preparedness in one of the world’s busiest and most strategically vital waterways. Residents and maritime observers are calling for additional safety measures to prevent future incidents as winter storms continue to affect the Black Sea corridor.